Manhattan Rockets (3 results)

first edition 286pp VG+ (green cloth,unevenly sunned,sl.bumps to extrems.,prelims.and edges sl.foxed) in VG- d/w (mod.rubbed and soiled,sl.sunned,bumps and chipping to extrems.w.some sl.losses and closed tears).

1st edition, hardback, 286pp, light foxing on page edges and prelims, text clean and binding sound, no inscriptions, Very Good / Good dustwrapper; wrapper edges rubbed and slightly frayed, spine faded, not price-clipped.

Unbound. Condition: Near Fine. A collection of 135 sepia-toned or black and white gelatin silver photographs, most measuring 8" x 10", with 87 negatives and 11 print-related pieces of ephemera pertaining to the Manhattan Rockets Dance Troupe. All items very good or better with some chips, tears and creasing. An archive of photographs and ephemera compiled by Hal Sands, a producer and director responsible for the Manhattan Rockets Dance Troupe in the 1950s. The collection begins with his business card which reads, "Hal Sands (Producer & Director) Stage shows for leading theatresoutdoor shows, state fairs, etcnight clubs and hotelstelevisiongirl revues(choreography by Dorothy Conova)." Many of the images show the troupe in various costumes including as space cadets and Native Americans dancing and posing on stage. The Rockets are featured in parades, community events, waving to crowds, and showcasing "fabulous prizes." In a series of images Sands is posed with various sports figures and celebrities of the day including Carmen Miranda, Rosemary Clooney, Bob Hope, and Roy Rogers. One marquee advertising the group reads, "Spectacular Stage Extravaganza Dozens of Girls Singers! Dancers! Hal Sands famed Manhattan Rockets Gorgeous Girls in Sensational Numbers." The ephemera includes newspaper clippings, pamphlets, a large brochure from George A. Hamid's Aqua Circus (produced by Hal Sands), and two letters from fellow promoter Billy Erhardt of the Billy Erhardt Dance Company asking Sands if he's interested in his "girls" for the Rockets, with a list of their height and noting "these girls are just out of high school." A nice collection of 1950s performer photographs documenting this all-female dance group.…